Teams eager to start teeing off

Johnson County’s seven high school boys golf teams are ready to tee things up after spring break.

In a realignment from last year, the IHSAA moved Center Grove, Edinburgh, Franklin, Greenwood, Indian Creek and Whiteland to the Southport Sectional at Heartland, along with Roncalli, Perry Meridian and Franklin Central.

Center Grove

Center Grove, with all five players shooting in the 70s, captured its 16th sectional title last year and sixth in the past seven years. The Trojans are ranked 13th in the preseason poll.

Center Grove finished fifth at last year’s Providence Regional, five strokes off the pace of the three teams that qualified for the state finals: Columbus North, Floyd Center and Jasper.

“We’re going to be very strong,” first-year coach Jim Williams said. He replaces longtime coach Doug Keller, who elected not to return to coaching after having back surgery. Williams also coaches the Center Grove girls golf team.

“Right now I’m expecting Chris will play in the No. 1 spot and Seth No. 2,” Weddle said. “I’m also counting on the Pendleton brothers, Kyle and Zach, who had varsity experience last season, to help us out.”

Weddle said the rest of the starting spots are up for grabs.

The Lancers will host the Johnson County Tournament at Timbergate Golf Course on June 3. Edinburgh opens the season April 15 at Triton Central.

Franklin

The Grizzly Cubs are looking to rebound from a sixth-place finish at last year’s sectional.

Franklin defeated Center Grove by one stroke to win the 2012 sectional.

Veteran coach Curt Holcroft has four of five starters returning, including seniors Ben Eads and Kirsch Sherrill, and juniors Spencer Wood and Jacob Hash.

Indian Creek transfer Blake Andrews, a sophomore, also is expected to challenge for a starting position.

The Grizzly Cubs open the season in a triangular match against Center Grove and Whiteland at The Legends on April 14.

Greenwood

Even with the loss to graduation of seniors Chandler Mitchell and Kyle Clark, the Woodmen are expected to make another strong showing this season.

Under the direction of 16th-year coach Rick Guipe, Greenwood finished third at last year’s sectional and advanced to the regional, where it placed 13th among 18 teams.

“This will be the first time in nine years we haven’t had a member of the Mitchell family playing for us,” Guipe said. “Corbin, the oldest, Peyton and Chandler were always at the top wrung of the ladder.”

The Woodmen do return senior starters Spencer Jackson and Kaleb Weddle, who are expected to provide team leadership. Also back from last year’s regional qualifying team is senior Ryne Miller.

Greenwood opens the season against Mid-State Conference rival Mooresville on April 16.

Greenwood Christian Academy

For the first time since the 2009-10 season, the Cougars will field a varsity golf team. The head coach is Jim Davis.

For the past three years, Davis has been active in building a middle-school program.